Packers’ Zombo zooming up the ranks

~Having been present and accounted for every practice since the middle of August, Green Bay Packers linebacker Frank Zombo has earned a level of trust that banged-up teammate Brad Jones hasn’t.

As a result, Zombo will make his second consecutive start Sunday against Detroit.

Zombo was a surprise starter against Chicago Monday night after Jones had been limited in practice all week with a knee injury and was listed as questionable on the injury report.

"I thought Frank played very well," Matthews said. "He's young and he's only going to continue to get better."

Coach Mike McCarthy held out hope at the end of the week that Jones would play, but he made him one of the inactives against the Bears.

Zombo got the call over Brady Poppinga, who also had knee issues during the week. On Wednesday, Jones was a full participant in practice, but Zombo is slated to start.

“It is something we have talked about here since I have arrived,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “You have to be available and you need to be accountable, and Brad is going through an injury situation right now.

“I’m not sure if he is healthy enough to play Sunday, so we’re going to play the prepared players. We’re going to play the experienced players.”

Jones has been battling injuries since the first day of training camp when he hurt his back. He missed four days with that and then another 11 days and two exhibition games with a shoulder problem.

McCarthy has grown increasingly frustrated with holding positions open for players he hopes will be ready Sunday. He decided this week that unless it’s a position held by a longtime veteran (for example, left tackle Chad Clifton), he’s going to go with what he’s got.